<p>I'm currently enrolled in an ivy league and will have to pay half of the full price to attend. My career ambitions now are medical school, so I have to pay for another 4 years of medical school after undergrad.</p>
<p>I keep receiving email from Barrett honors college at Arizona State. Initially, I did not think highly of it (arrogant me, gah!!) because of the ivy league education, but I am impressed by ASU's efforts to have me enroll there (I do not think it's too late to enroll), and especially by their full ride for NMS finalists. I read up on a Barrett forum, hearing good reports about the program (almost as good as an ivy league education, depending on what you make of it), so I am having some second thoughts about enrolling at ASU.
I have two concerns:
1.) The full ride at ASU will help me pay off medical school and take some financial pressure of my parents.
2.) But if I choose NOT to enter medical school, will a degree from ASU help me in the job market?</p>
<p>Since it's already June, and I've graduated, I don't know what to make of my second thoughts on attending an ivy league institution!!
I hope you guys can offer some advice or thoughts...</p>
<p>Being in the honors college will help you more than if you were just in regular ASU. Apparently while ASU doesn't have the best reputation Barrett does. I'd call and ask about med school statistics from there. If they're good then it may be prudent to make the jump, since you're talking about a very serious amount of money here. Just make sure they're good with getting people into med school.</p>
<p>If your family can manage the tuition, go where you'd be happier. College is 4 years of your life, and an important 4 years...not just biding time before med school! ASU has a party culture all its own, and it's not the right school for everyone, so definitely take that into consideration!</p>
<p>There are arguments on both sides; just take into account that the main benefit of attending a top university is that you're pulled, prodded, inspired, and influenced by your equally accomplished peer group. At ASU, you'd be at the top of the curve - if you were influenced by your peers, it'd be in the wrong direction. That's why ASU (and similar schools) are willing to pay your way - you'd be there for the benefit of your lesser-achieving classmates, not vice versa.</p>
<p>I was choosing last year between Barrett at ASU and Brown. Being in-state and with National Merit money, ASU would have actually been paying me to go there. I liked ASU when I visited, but I eventually decided to go to Brown because of the quality of the students. If you go to ASU, you will be at the very top of the student body, which in some ways can be a good thing because you'll get more personal attention from professors and may even have opportunities to do research with them. You won't learn nearly as much from your classmates, though, and in some cases you'll find that classes are taught at a much slower pace than what you might have preferred because the professors are catering to the students at the bottom. Even though you'll be in the honors college, most of your classes will not be honors classes, and will be with mostly non-honors students. ASU will also be less prestigious, which could hurt you when applying to Med school, but if money is really a big issue it might be worth it anyway.</p>
<p>Unless you're flat broke and will be unable to pay your way through Medical School, go to the Ivy hands down. This isn't just about prestige: the quality of education and academic environment at an Ivy League institution is going to be far ahead of a school like ASU. There are amazing public colleges out there, but I do not think you'll find that ASU is one of them. And, to be honest, if you are currently enrolled in an Ivy for the Fall, you'll be at a higher intellectual level than over half (a liberal estimate, perhaps) of the ASU student body. Being at the top is fun, but you may find yourself lonely and without classes that are taught to your level, as others have mentioned above.</p>
<p>Go with your heart if you can bear the expensive.</p>
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This isn't just about prestige: the quality of education and academic environment at an Ivy League institution is going to be far ahead of a school like ASU.
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<p>Really? I take it you've attended an Ivy league quality school and ASU? I have, and I can tell you that there's no difference in "quality of education" between the two. NONE.</p>
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ASU will also be less prestigious, which could hurt you when applying to Med school, but if money is really a big issue it might be worth it anyway.
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<p>Not for med school. This has been confirmed by parents who are in the medical school admission committee. However, if you change you mind about become a doctor, ie you might want to do ibanking, Dartmouth is a better choice. So keep all your options opened is my advice.</p>
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Really? I take it you've attended an Ivy league quality school and ASU? I have, and I can tell you that there's no difference in "quality of education" between the two. NONE.
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<p>I never said anything of the sort. For what it's worth, I have attended a "lower tier" college and am transferring out. While there were some great classes and remarkable professors, most of my classes were taught at a near-HS level and were far from challenging. And I should note that the college of which I speak is considerably more selective than ASU. The student body was, on the whole, more interested in what they were drinking on any given night than learning.</p>
<p>I'm not bashing public institutions here; on the contrary, I have been and will be attending public colleges. However, ASU is not UMich/UVA/Berkeley/UCLA/UNC/WM/etc. It's not MSU/Buffalo/etc. This is a school that accepts over 90% of the applications it receives. Its average SAT score is drastically (read: ~250 points) lower than any given Ivy League school. ASU is a great school for those who have financial considerations and fall within the ranges of its general student body; however, to say that this would be a good environment for someone admitted to an Ivy school is downright silly.</p>
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I never said anything of the sort. For what it's worth, I have attended a "lower tier" college and am transferring out. While there were some great classes and remarkable professors, most of my classes were taught at a near-HS level and were far from challenging. And I should note that the college of which I speak is considerably more selective than ASU. The student body was, on the whole, more interested in what they were drinking on any given night than learning.</p>
<p>I'm not bashing public institutions here; on the contrary, I have been and will be attending public colleges. However, ASU is not UMich/UVA/Berkeley/UCLA/UNC/WM/etc. It's not MSU/Buffalo/etc. This is a school that accepts over 90% of the applications it receives. Its average SAT score is drastically (read: ~250 points) lower than any given Ivy League school. ASU is a great school for those who have financial considerations and fall within the ranges of its general student body; however, to say that this would be a good environment for someone admitted to an Ivy school is downright silly.
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No difference between an Ivy and Arizona State U? Umm, ASU ain't exactly Berkeley...
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<p>And once again I ask, have you guys been to both ASU and an ivy league school? I've been to ASU and a HYP level school and there was no difference in academic quality at either. Never did I say that because it's a state school it sucks, just that the "academic quality" at ASU and an ivy league will be the same. You guys really think there's some magic formula they teach at ivies? You think the teachers at ivies can communicate the material that much better? You read better books? Please. This is the biggest misconception among people....if you go to ASU or you go to an ivy you wil receive the same level of education. True, your postgrad options might be different but your education will suffer at either. </p>
<p>Unless you guys have gone to both and can disqualify this statement?</p>
<p>Well, you'd be surprised to the quality of an honors college at a large state school. Plus, at an honors college in a cheap state u you will be receiving some other benefits that even ivy leagues don't necessarily have. Often times, the honors college option means you get to have first choice in classes. You get more individual attention, not necessarily true of ivy leagues. Depending on the school of course, a large state university often caters to its honors college students; certainly not a bad thing if you are one. Also often times honors college classes allow you to avoid the 300+ people lecture halls; I can't say the same for your ivy league institution whatever it may be. </p>
<p>I feel that the op is perfectly justified in doubting the greatness of an ivy league education in comparison to an honors college state u one. And as for whether an ASU degree will help you in the job market or not, this completely depends on you. Your major in question, networking skills, and ability to reach out for your possible career goals will determine that. I highly doubt that any employer is going to pass you up just because you have an ASU degree instead of an ivy league degree. They might notice you more initially if you had an ivy league degree, but all in all its all about what you bring to the table. You are going to be the same person with the same (good, presumably hard working) qualities whether you went to ivy league school or not. To sum up...i can't tell you one way or another, but definitely think about going to ASU. Plus, the social life is likely to be outstanding. If you are a sports fan, they have likely a much bigger school spirit in their sports teams. Finally, its free. Little to no debt...I'd say its worth it for sure. But if the ivy league school is where your heart is, by all means go for it!</p>
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And once again I ask, have you guys been to both ASU and an ivy league school? I've been to ASU and a HYP level school and there was no difference in academic quality at either. Never did I say that because it's a state school it sucks, just that the "academic quality" at ASU and an ivy league will be the same. You guys really think there's some magic formula they teach at ivies? You think the teachers at ivies can communicate the material that much better? You read better books? Please. This is the biggest misconception among people....if you go to ASU or you go to an ivy you wil receive the same level of education. True, your postgrad options might be different but your education will suffer at either.
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<p>This is laughable. I would have much fear for HYP if they really teach their students at ASU level. That would be such a waste of the vast amont of talent among the HYP student body and their remarkable resources.</p>
<p>I have not attended ASU or an Ivy League. But, I personally know students from our local h.s. who attend or will be attending both. There is no comparison in the calibre of student. The Ivy Leaguers are in the top 15 (not percent) of the class, the ASUers are in the bottom half. Sorry, but I can't believe it is possible that the academic environment at the 2 u's is indistinguishable.</p>
<p>Could someone please address the significant difference between ASU as a whole, and the fact that the OP was accepted to Barrett's Honors College, which is a top ranked program.</p>
<p>Last year she was accepted to HYPBrown and others as well as several top 25 schools with significant merit scholarships. She is also considering med school in the future but is not completely sure that will be her path as she has other interests as well. With much difficulty, she chose UMichigan Honors with a full ride scholarship.</p>
<p>While she had some reservations (who wouldn't?), she went last fall with an open mind and ready to take advantage of all that UM had to offer. There were many positives: a great selection of courses; on the whole, engaging and challenging profs; meeting a wonderful group of friends in the Honors college; and getting involved with a couple of campus clubs. There were two major negatives, one had to do with the specific scholarship she was on and is immaterial for this discussion, the other was that for the most part her cohorts in classes were not as stimulating as she had hoped. I know this sounds snooty, so please, no flames. She had been at the top of her HS class for 4 years and was really looking forward to being around a large group of challenging kids for a change. I'm not saying those kids aren't at UM, but due to it's size, they may be harder to engage with on a day to day basis.</p>
<p>So, after more agonizing, next fall she will be transferring to one of the privates that she was accepted to last year. However, there is one very big difference between her situation and yours, I have saved enough to be able to pay for her to attend without taking on debt. Of course, without a full ride, there will be less for medical school if that happens, but she has decided that she is willing to take time off after graduating and work if necessary.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you will find other posters on this board who have gone to schools with merit aid and had excellent experiences while avoiding large debt and saving money for future endeavors. You have an extremely difficult decision to make, and don't believe anyone who says there's a right answer, no matter which side it's on. Each person and situation is different, you have to find the path that works for you. Finally, while it's easiest and less painful to get it right the first time, anyone with your talent and drive will do fine, even with a few wrong turns. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Same situation last year at our house. Cornell or Pitt Honors College with full tuition. Went with Pitt and very happy with choice. Peers in the living environment and perks for those honors students have both been positive. Student thought that the classmates in non honors classes were smarter and more engaged than expected. The ones who don't match that description don't usually go to class! We'll never know if Cornell would have been a better choice but our pocketbook definitely says it was.</p>
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I've been to ASU and a HYP level school and there was no difference in academic quality at either.
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<p>Basis of knowledge, please? What were you doing at each place? And just exactly which "HYP level school" are you talking about? What college courses have you taken?</p>